KLUANG, Nov 15 – The Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said on Sunday (Nov 15) that the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has put several Malaysian leaders on its list of targets. He was quoted by The Star as saying he had received a report before the Asean Defence Ministers meeting in March that the terrorist group had targeted known figures in the country.
“I can confirm that ISIS had been targeted our leaders, also including myself, but it will not scare us or for us to stop down from the fighting terrorism. This is not only in the country, but in the region as well,” said Hishammuddin after a Deepavali celebration event.
He said that the information on the threat from ISIS was made before the joint Asean Defence Ministers meeting held at Langkawi in March, where all 10 nations agreed to a joint effort in fighting terrorism. Besides that, Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai also said that the government was stepping up security control at all entry points, including airports in Malaysia, following the attacks in Paris on last Friday.
Datuk Seri Liow said they have been very cautious in our safety measures, with all entry points, especially airport security, being tightened after many alerts. He said when he was quoted by Bernama as saying on Sunday after the ground-breaking ceremony for a school.
“Actually we were given the alert earlier. I think you also know that the United States (US) also alerted us on the Jalan Alor (in Kuala Lumpur) case and that the police have tracked down several activists in the country and have arrested some of them. Malaysia has been on high alert most of the time and we will continue to do so,” he added.
